Table A: Number of observations by garden by phenophase 1966-2020 | |||||||||
Number of observations | |||||||||
Station | Beginning of leaf unfolding | May shoot | Beginning of flowering | General flowering | First ripe fruits | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | Total | |
Enniscoe House | 51 | 7 | 48 | 43 | 4 | 51 | 57 | 261 | |
Glenveagh National Park | 161 | 18 | 56 | 32 | 4 | 160 | 169 | 600 | |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 485 | 124 | 341 | 77 | 23 | 210 | 328 | 1,588 | |
Johnstown Castle | 398 | 102 | 178 | 146 | 55 | 317 | 402 | 1,598 | |
National Botanic Gardens | 439 | 101 | 108 | 3 | .. | 314 | 428 | 1,393 | |
Valentia Observatory | 566 | 84 | 308 | 222 | 29 | 360 | 496 | 2,065 | |
Total | 2,100 | 436 | 1,039 | 523 | 115 | 1,412 | 1,880 | 7,505 | |
.. Not available |
The length of the phenological season for Downy Birch (Betula pubescens) at Valentia Observatory in Kerry during the period 1969-2020 varied from 168 days in 1979 to 236 days in 2014 (see Figure 1). The length of the phenological season is defined as the number of days between beginning of leaf unfolding in the Spring and leaf fall in the Autumn. The Met Éireann observers at Valentia Observatory have a full record for this plant species for the 51 year period.
The earliest date for leaf unfolding of Downy Birch at Valentia Observatory was day 72 or the 13th March 1975. The latest date for beginning of leaf unfolding was 24th April in both 1979 and 1986. For leaf fall, the earliest date at Valentia Observatory for Downy Birch was day 268 or 25th September 1983 and the latest date was day 330 or 26th November 2014. The earliest dates for each phenophase stage for Downy Birch in each garden are given in Table 1.02.
The length of the phenological season for Alpine Currant (Ribes alpinum) at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin varied from 202 days in 2016 to 258 days in 1997 (see Figure 2).
The earliest date for beginning of leaf unfolding of Small-leaved Lime (Tilia cordata) at Johnstown Castle in Wexford was day 70 or the 11th March 2019 (see Figure 3). The latest date for beginning of leaf unfolding of Small-leaved Lime (Tilia cordata) at Johnstown Castle was day 132 or the 12th May 1979. For leaf fall, the earliest date at Johnstown Castle for Small-leaved Lime was day 273 or 30th September 2015 and the latest date was day 321 or the 16th November 2016 (see Table 1.10).
The earliest date for general flowering for Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) at Enniscoe House in County Mayo was at 103 days or 13th April in both 2015 and 2019 (see Figure 4 and Table 1.07).
Phenology is the study of annual seasonal changes in plants and animals. Plant phenology has been proposed as an indicator of climate change by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. |
The earliest date for beginning of leaf unfolding of European Larch (Larix decidua) at Glenveagh National Park in Donegal was day 86 on the 27th March 2009 and the 26th March 2012 (see Figure 5). The latest date for beginning of leaf unfolding was day 114 or the 24th April 2018. For leaf fall, the earliest date at Glenveagh National Park for European Larch was day 299 or 26th October 2018 and the latest date was day 321 or the 17th November 2009 (see Table 1.01).
The earliest date for beginning of leaf unfolding of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica (Trippstadt)) at John F. Kennedy Arboretum in Wexford was day 110 on the 20th April 1993 (see Figure 6). The latest date for beginning of leaf unfolding was day 137 or the 17th May 1970 and 17th May 1974. For leaf fall, the earliest date at John F. Kennedy Arboretum for European Beech was day 277 or 4th October 1991 and the latest date was day 322 or the 17th November 1976 and the 18th November 1985 (see Table 1.05).
X-axis label | Betula pubescens (Germany) LPS |
---|---|
1969 | 218 |
1970 | 198 |
1971 | 194 |
1972 | 202 |
1973 | 196 |
1974 | 190 |
1975 | 222 |
1976 | 225 |
1977 | 187 |
1978 | 182 |
1979 | 168 |
1980 | 181 |
1981 | 231 |
1982 | 200 |
1983 | 181 |
1984 | 187 |
1985 | 188 |
1986 | 183 |
1987 | 187 |
1988 | 195 |
1989 | 222 |
1990 | 197 |
1991 | 218 |
1992 | 205 |
1993 | 213 |
1994 | 218 |
1995 | 200 |
1996 | 225 |
1997 | 203 |
1998 | 217 |
1999 | 215 |
2000 | 217 |
2001 | 203 |
2002 | 200 |
2003 | 201 |
2004 | 208 |
2005 | 199 |
2006 | 210 |
2007 | 175 |
2008 | 228 |
2009 | 223 |
2010 | 207 |
2011 | 201 |
2012 | 192 |
2013 | 230 |
2014 | 236 |
2015 | 233 |
2016 | 212 |
2017 | 217 |
2018 | 206 |
2019 | 231 |
2020 | 215 |
X-axis label | Ribes alpinum (Austria) LPS |
---|---|
1976 | 211 |
1977 | 208 |
1978 | 211 |
1979 | 210 |
1980 | 214 |
1981 | 213 |
1982 | 216 |
1983 | 210 |
1984 | 213 |
1985 | 215 |
1986 | 212 |
1987 | 215 |
1988 | 225 |
1989 | 227 |
1990 | 236 |
1991 | 234 |
1992 | 224 |
1993 | |
1994 | 231 |
1995 | |
1996 | |
1997 | 258 |
1998 | 248 |
1999 | 221 |
2000 | 216 |
2001 | |
2002 | 240 |
2003 | 241 |
2004 | 235 |
2005 | 236 |
2006 | 232 |
2007 | 238 |
2008 | 235 |
2009 | 248 |
2010 | |
2011 | 222 |
2012 | 239 |
2013 | 229 |
2014 | |
2015 | 241 |
2016 | 202 |
2017 | 228 |
2018 | 216 |
2019 | 244 |
2020 |
Leaf Unfolding Stage | Leaf Fall Stage | |
1970 | 125 | null |
1971 | 119 | null |
1972 | 128 | null |
1973 | 125 | 276 |
1974 | 94 | 291 |
1975 | 123 | null |
1976 | 127 | 280 |
1977 | 124 | 304 |
1978 | 131 | 321 |
1979 | 132 | 316 |
1980 | null | null |
1981 | null | null |
1982 | 105 | null |
1983 | 106 | null |
1984 | 107 | 317 |
1985 | 107 | 316 |
1986 | 104 | 316 |
1987 | 105 | 314 |
1988 | 90 | 304 |
1989 | 104 | 298 |
1990 | 96 | 315 |
1991 | 103 | 307 |
1992 | 102 | 311 |
1993 | 95 | 310 |
1994 | 101 | 308 |
1995 | 106 | 306 |
1996 | 105 | 297 |
1997 | 104 | 277 |
1998 | 106 | 285 |
1999 | null | null |
2000 | 98 | 302 |
2001 | null | null |
2002 | null | null |
2003 | null | null |
2004 | null | null |
2005 | null | null |
2006 | null | null |
2007 | null | null |
2008 | null | null |
2009 | null | null |
2010 | null | null |
2011 | 124 | 306 |
2012 | 90 | 293 |
2013 | 122 | 289 |
2014 | 101 | 303 |
2015 | 83 | 273 |
2016 | 111 | 321 |
2017 | 89 | 292 |
2018 | 106 | 319 |
2019 | 70 | 288 |
2020 | 90 | 276 |
X-axis label | Prunus avium (Bovenden) (Germany) FF |
---|---|
2013 | 114 |
2014 | |
2015 | 103 |
2016 | 119 |
2017 | 114 |
2018 | 117 |
2019 | 103 |
2020 | 107 |
X-axis label | Leaf Unfolding stage | Leaf Fall stage |
---|---|---|
2007 | 306 | |
2008 | 91 | 316 |
2009 | 86 | 321 |
2010 | 98 | 309 |
2011 | 90 | 308 |
2012 | 86 | 320 |
2013 | 113 | 316 |
2014 | 105 | 309 |
2015 | 106 | 311 |
2016 | 110 | 308 |
2017 | 103 | 309 |
2018 | 114 | 299 |
2019 | 98 | 308 |
2020 | 101 | 304 |
X-axis label | Fagus sylvatica (Trippstadt) (Germany) UL |
---|---|
1970 | 137 |
1971 | 127 |
1972 | 136 |
1973 | 135 |
1974 | 137 |
1975 | 122 |
1976 | 122 |
1977 | 129 |
1978 | 129 |
1979 | 134 |
1980 | 127 |
1981 | 128 |
1982 | 125 |
1983 | 129 |
1984 | 121 |
1985 | 126 |
1986 | 132 |
1987 | 124 |
1988 | 130 |
1989 | |
1990 | 121 |
1991 | 130 |
1992 | 118 |
1993 | 110 |
1994 | 122 |
1995 | 130 |
1996 | 130 |
1997 | 121 |
1998 | |
1999 | 123 |
2000 | 126 |
2001 | 125 |
2002 | 127 |
2003 | 122 |
2004 | 131 |
2005 | 129 |
2006 | 128 |
2007 | 123 |
2008 | 135 |
2009 | 128 |
2010 | 132 |
2011 | 119 |
Table 1.01 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 111 Larix decidua* (Germany) | ||||||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Beginning of flowering | General flowering | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | ||||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
Enniscoe House | 84 | 2016 | 116 | 2016 | 126 | 2016 | 270 | 2016 | 308 | 2016 |
Glenveagh National Park | 86 | 2009 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 296 | 2018 | 299 | 2018 |
.. Not available |
Table 1.02 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 211 Betula pubescens* (Germany) | ||||||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Beginning of flowering | General flowering | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | ||||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
Glenveagh National Park | 87 | 2012 | 90 | 2017 | 113 | 2019 | 281 | 2015 | 293 | 2015 |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 85 | 1992 | 94 | 1997 | 109 | 1993 | 264 | 1996 | 274 | 1991 |
Johnstown Castle | 60 | 2019 | 80 | 2019 | 100 | 2019 | 151 | 2018 | 275 | 2019 |
National Botanic Gardens | 80 | 1977 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 296 | 1992 | 311 | 1992 |
Valentia Observatory | 72 | 1975 | 105 | 1976 | 112 | 1985 | 255 | 1983 | 268 | 1983 |
.. Not available |
Table 1.03 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 221 Fagus sylvatica (Hardegsen)* (Germany) | ||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | ||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
Enniscoe House | 93 | 2013 | 278 | 2018 | 305 | 2016 |
Glenveagh National Park | 109 | 2020 | 248 | 2018 | 262 | 2018 |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 94 | 2007 | 260 | 1994 | 275 | 1974 |
Johnstown Castle | 91 | 1974 | 258 | 1976 | 283 | 1973 |
National Botanic Gardens | 118 | 1997 | 293 | 1994 | 318 | 1997 |
Valentia Observatory | 79 | 2011 | 248 | 1983 | 256 | 1971 |
Table 1.04 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 222 Fagus sylvatica (Düdelsheim) (Germany) | ||||||||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Beginning of flowering | General flowering | First ripe fruits | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | |||||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
Glenveagh National Park | 65 | 2008 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 263 | 2013 | 253 | 2019 |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 104 | 1993 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 265 | 1992 | 269 | 1971 |
Johnstown Castle | 78 | 2019 | 97 | 2016 | 107 | 2016 | 218 | 2016 | 245 | 2019 | 275 | 2020 |
Valentia Observatory | 100 | 2008 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 248 | 2005 | 267 | 1974 |
.. Not available |
Table 1.05 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 223 Fagus sylvatica (Trippstadt) (Germany) | ||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | ||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 110 | 1993 | 272 | 1991 | 277 | 1991 |
Johnstown Castle | 117 | 1978 | 285 | 1977 | 300 | 1977 |
National Botanic Gardens | 118 | 1999 | 284 | 2004 | 301 | 2005 |
Valentia Observatory | 92 | 2008 | 241 | 1986 | 230 | 1971 |
Table 1.06 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 235 Populus tremula* (Germany) | ||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | ||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
Glenveagh National Park | 100 | 2011 | 271 | 2011 | 292 | 2009 |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 92 | 1981 | 278 | 1990 | 278 | 1987 |
Johnstown Castle | 92 | 1977 | 292 | 1988 | 279 | 1973 |
National Botanic Gardens | 105 | 2011 | 286 | 2009 | 295 | 2009 |
Valentia Observatory | 80 | 2017 | 264 | 2010 | 264 | 2009 |
Table 1.07 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 241 Prunus avium (Bovenden)* (Germany) | ||||||||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Beginning of flowering | General flowering | First ripe fruits | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | |||||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
Enniscoe House | 78 | 2019 | 96 | 2019 | 103 | 2015 | .. | .. | 251 | 2015 | 279 | 2015 |
Glenveagh National Park | 82 | 2012 | 88 | 2012 | 98 | 2019 | .. | .. | 264 | 2008 | 276 | 2008 |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 78 | 1992 | 95 | 1990 | 106 | 1988 | 199 | 1977 | 278 | 1985 | 279 | 1986 |
Johnstown Castle | 65 | 2019 | 87 | 2019 | 93 | 2019 | 168 | 2016 | 244 | 2019 | 267 | 2019 |
National Botanic Gardens | 59 | 1976 | 84 | 1990 | 95 | 1990 | .. | .. | 284 | 1976 | 303 | 2016 |
Valentia Observatory | 72 | 2008 | 85 | 1991 | 94 | 1989 | 195 | 1982 | 230 | 1980 | 255 | 1983 |
.. Not available |
Table 1.08 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 242 Prunus avium (Lutter) (Germany) | ||||||||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Beginning of flowering | General flowering | First ripe fruits | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | |||||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
Glenveagh National Park | 101 | 2010 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 85 | 1992 | 88 | 2002 | 91 | 2011 | 203 | 1976 | 106 | 2001 | 278 | 1981 |
Johnstown Castle | 73 | 1997 | 103 | 1977 | 111 | 1977 | 184 | 1976 | 262 | 1998 | 280 | 1997 |
National Botanic Gardens | 58 | 1981 | 83 | 1990 | 94 | 1990 | .. | .. | 284 | 1981 | 311 | 1976 |
Valentia Observatory | 75 | 2008 | 84 | 1989 | 92 | 1982 | 193 | 1982 | 242 | 2005 | 255 | 1983 |
.. Not available |
Table 1.09 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 271 Sorbus aucuparia* (Czech Rep.) | ||||||||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Beginning of flowering | General flowering | First ripe fruits | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | |||||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
Enniscoe House | 83 | 2020 | 94 | 2013 | 109 | 2013 | .. | .. | 258 | 2015 | 278 | 2018 |
Glenveagh National Park | 91 | 2019 | 121 | 2020 | 125 | 2020 | 241 | 2014 | 261 | 2008 | 250 | 2011 |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 94 | 2011 | 112 | 1991 | 114 | 1991 | 213 | 2002 | 282 | 2009 | 284 | 1983 |
Johnstown Castle | 72 | 2019 | 106 | 2019 | 140 | 2016 | 215 | 2016 | 245 | 2019 | 280 | 1976 |
National Botanic Gardens | 96 | 1989 | 123 | 1989 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 285 | 1989 | 305 | 1991 |
Valentia Observatory | 90 | 1994 | 103 | 1999 | 117 | 1997 | 194 | 2010 | 257 | 2005 | 254 | 2007 |
.. Not available |
Table 1.10 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 281 Tilia cordata* (Germany) | ||||||||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Beginning of flowering | General flowering | First ripe fruits | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | |||||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
Glenveagh National Park | 101 | 2011 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 287 | 2009 | 293 | 2009 |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 106 | 1974 | 118 | 1987 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 278 | 2000 | 287 | 2000 |
Johnstown Castle | 70 | 2019 | 104 | 2015 | 120 | 2015 | 131 | 2017 | 244 | 2015 | 273 | 2015 |
National Botanic Gardens | 112 | 1972 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 278 | 1976 | 313 | 1994 |
Valentia Observatory | 90 | 1993 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 227 | 1983 | 240 | 1983 |
.. Not available |
Table 1.11 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 311 Ribes alpinum* (Austria) | ||||||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Beginning of flowering | General flowering | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | ||||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 75 | 1983 | 70 | 1997 | 83 | 2003 | .. | .. | 294 | 1983 |
Johnstown Castle | 75 | 1993 | 103 | 1968 | 116 | 1977 | 274 | 1999 | 283 | 1997 |
National Botanic Gardens | 79 | 1997 | 86 | 1991 | .. | .. | 292 | 1989 | 307 | 2016 |
Valentia Observatory | 119 | 1974 | 116 | 1971 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 269 | 1974 |
.. Not available |
Table 1.12 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 321 Salix aurita* (Germany) | ||||||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Beginning of flowering | General flowering | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | ||||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
Enniscoe House | 46 | 2017 | 9 | 2017 | 51 | 2017 | 267 | 2017 | 294 | 2016 |
Glenveagh National Park | 113 | 2019 | 113 | 2018 | 122 | 2018 | 281 | 2015 | 274 | 2014 |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 106 | 1993 | 89 | 1990 | 103 | 1995 | 314 | 2006 | 304 | 1984 |
Johnstown Castle | 50 | 2019 | 39 | 2017 | 53 | 2017 | 252 | 2020 | 281 | 2020 |
National Botanic Gardens | 111 | 1997 | 95 | 1992 | .. | .. | 290 | 1989 | 315 | 1992 |
Valentia Observatory | 85 | 2005 | 61 | 2017 | 72 | 2017 | 280 | 2006 | 279 | 1974 |
.. Not available |
Table 1.13 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 323 Salix acutifolia* (Germany) | ||||||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Beginning of flowering | General flowering | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | ||||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
Enniscoe House | 81 | 2016 | 9 | 2017 | 34 | 2020 | 274 | 2019 | 304 | 2013 |
Glenveagh National Park | 95 | 2011 | 83 | 2009 | .. | .. | 275 | 2008 | 279 | 2008 |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 57 | 2004 | 13 | 1993 | 39 | 1988 | .. | .. | 307 | 1983 |
Johnstown Castle | 77 | 1993 | 65 | 1971 | 92 | 1978 | 279 | 2000 | 281 | 1973 |
National Botanic Gardens | 101 | 1988 | 103 | 1982 | .. | .. | 306 | 1989 | 319 | 1981 |
Valentia Observatory | 71 | 2008 | 54 | 2017 | 61 | 2017 | 273 | 2009 | 280 | 1974 |
.. Not available |
Table 1.14 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 324 Salix smithiana* (Germany) | ||||||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Beginning of flowering | General flowering | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | ||||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
Glenveagh National Park | 86 | 2012 | 72 | 2011 | 90 | 2017 | 287 | 2009 | 298 | 2009 |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 67 | 2004 | 28 | 1993 | 53 | 1985 | 314 | 2006 | 305 | 1980 |
Johnstown Castle | 37 | 2019 | 38 | 2017 | 52 | 2017 | 246 | 2019 | 277 | 2012 |
National Botanic Gardens | 87 | 2019 | 60 | 1974 | .. | .. | 282 | 2016 | 314 | 1976 |
Valentia Observatory | 61 | 2011 | 50 | 1993 | 59 | 2017 | 289 | 1997 | 279 | 1974 |
.. Not available |
Table 1.15 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 326 Salix viminalis* (Germany) | ||||||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Beginning of flowering | General flowering | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | ||||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
Enniscoe House | 63 | 2013 | 9 | 2017 | 41 | 2020 | 274 | 2013 | 306 | 2016 |
Glenveagh National Park | 94 | 2014 | 84 | 2017 | 90 | 2017 | 305 | 2012 | 316 | 2018 |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 65 | 2006 | 11 | 1993 | 35 | 1988 | 277 | 2008 | 297 | 1984 |
Johnstown Castle | 42 | 2019 | 44 | 2017 | 59 | 2017 | 246 | 2019 | 275 | 2020 |
National Botanic Gardens | 88 | 2019 | 78 | 1973 | .. | .. | 320 | 2012 | 316 | 1976 |
Valentia Observatory | 77 | 1996 | 47 | 1982 | 67 | 1975 | 281 | 2005 | 280 | 1974 |
.. Not available |
Table 1.16 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 411 Corylus avellana* | ||||||||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Beginning of flowering | General flowering | First ripe fruits | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | |||||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
Enniscoe House | 33 | 2017 | 1 | 2018 | 15 | 2018 | 267 | 2020 | 256 | 2016 | 270 | 2016 |
Glenveagh National Park | 91 | 2009 | 11 | 2019 | 49 | 2015 | .. | .. | 267 | 2019 | 298 | 2009 |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 94 | 2007 | 42 | 2010 | 46 | 2010 | .. | .. | 309 | 2006 | 319 | 2006 |
Johnstown Castle | 73 | 2019 | 32 | 2019 | 48 | 2017 | 137 | 2018 | 277 | 2017 | 313 | 2017 |
National Botanic Gardens | 52 | 2019 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 297 | 2019 | 324 | 2020 |
Valentia Observatory | 69 | 2019 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 289 | 2017 | 304 | 2017 |
.. Not available |
Table 1.17 Date of Earliest Occurrence of Phenological Stages for 431 Syringa x chinensis (Red Rothomagensis)* | ||||||||||
Beginning of leaf unfolding | Beginning of flowering | General flowering | Autumn colouring | Leaf fall | ||||||
Station | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year | Day | Year |
Enniscoe House | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 333 | 2013 |
Glenveagh National Park | 57 | 2008 | 118 | 2020 | 126 | 2020 | 259 | 2008 | 275 | 2008 |
John F. Kennedy Arboretum | 79 | 2009 | 107 | 2007 | 117 | 2007 | 289 | 2008 | 322 | 2006 |
Johnstown Castle | 69 | 2020 | 120 | 2018 | 136 | 2018 | 275 | 2017 | 299 | 2017 |
Valentia Observatory | 65 | 2019 | 96 | 2011 | .. | .. | 275 | 2017 | 289 | 2011 |
.. Not available |
Phenology is the study of annual seasonal changes in plants and animals such as the flowering of plants, the emergence of insects and the migration of birds. Phenology has been principally concerned with the dates of first occurrence of biological events in their annual cycle. Examples include the date of emergence of leaves and flowers, the first flight of butterflies, the first appearance of migratory birds, the date of leaf colouring and leaf fall in deciduous trees, the dates of egg-laying of birds, etc. Because many such phenomena are very sensitive to small variations in climate, phenological records can be a useful proxy for temperature in historical climatology, especially in the study of climate change. Changes in timing affect ecosystem functioning. Plant phenology has been proposed as an indicator of climate change by the European Environmental Agency and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Changes in the timing of phenological events may influence biological processes and species distribution.
The data used for this release were obtained directly from Met Éireann and the National Botanic Gardens. The CSO integrated the annual observations from each garden into one integrated file. The full time-series of available data back to 1966 has been used.
In this report, an observation is defined as a single date for one phenological stage for one tree at one location. In some cases, multiple dates were available for the same event e.g. where a plant was cloned at the same garden. If the observer had combined the cloned observations into a single date for the phenophase then that was used. The number of observations recorded per station and per phenophase is shown in Table A. An example of a Phenological Observations Sheet can be found on the Methodology section of this release here: Methodology
Some phenological events must precede other events. However there are known errors in the microdata used for this report. These errors have not been corrected. It is hoped that it may be possible to recheck some of the data or to obtain access to the original data.
The number of days between the beginning of leaf unfolding and leaf fall dates has been used in some graphs as an approximation for the length of the growing season.
The full time series of observations has been made available on the CSO PxStat database. Users should note that the series has not been smoothed to correct errors in the observation dates.
Beginning of leaf unfolding (bud burst): This phase occurs when the first regular surfaces of leaves become visible in three to four places. This is when the first leaf of a plant has pushed out of the bud up to its leaf stalk.
May shoot: This is the first spring sprout of the conifers. The buds are open and the protective sheath comes off the bud edges. The needles have not yet expanded at this point.
Beginning of flowering: This is when the first regular flowers have opened in three to four places on the observed plant.
General flowering: This occurs when more than half of the blossoms are open.
St John’s sprout: The first sprouts of oaks and mountain ashes are regularly followed by a second sprout, the St John’s sprout. Buds that are already developed for the next year are caused to sprout prematurely by weather conditions. These second sprouts can be recognised by their fresh colour. The state of the first leaf unfolding is repeated: the first leaves of the sprout have their typical forms but not yet the final size of the fully developed leaves.
First ripe fruits: This phase is observed when the first fruits have ripened in several places (about three or four) on the observed plant.
Autumn colouring: More than half of the leaves of the observed plant have changed their colour, including those leaves which have fallen in large quantities.
Leaf fall: This is recorded when more than half of the leaves of the observed plant have fallen.
The International Phenological Gardens is a network of gardens that was formed to record standardised phenological observations. All IPGs are situated in similar surroundings (mainly plain surface with meadows and some trees). Data are collected using a detailed observation-guide. In order to eliminate the hereditary variability, cloned species of all trees and shrubs have been planted in the IPGs. To enable this, a parent garden doing the vegetative propagation, breeding, and dispatch was established. The IPG network in Ireland has four sites (Valentia Observatory (Co. Kerry), John F. Kennedy Arboretum (Co. Wexford), Johnstown Castle (Co. Wexford) and the National Botanic Gardens (Dublin)) with phenological data records extending as far back as 1966. Observers record and monitor phenophases such as leaf unfolding, flowering, leaf fall, etc. for a range of species.
Observations from six Irish gardens were available for inclusion in this report:
- Data for Enniscoe House in Mayo (West) for 2013-2020 were used in this report (8 years)
- Data for Glenveagh National Park in Donegal (North-West) for 2007-2020 were used in this report (14 years)
- Data for John F. Kennedy Arboretum in Wexford (South-East) for 1967-1988 and 1990-2011 were used in this report (44 years)
- Data for Johnstown Castle in Wexford (South-East) for 1967-1979, 1982-2000, and 2011-2020 were used in this report (42 years)
- Data for National Botanic Gardens in Dublin (East) for 1966-1974, 1976-1992, 1994, 1997-2009, and 2011-2020 were used in this report (50 years)
- Data for Valentia Observatory in Kerry (South-West) for 1966-2020 were used in this report (55 years)
The main objective of PEP725 is to promote and facilitate phenological research by delivering a pan European phenological database with open data access for science, research and education purposes.
The records maintained at Irish gardens include the following species:
Code | Plant species name | English name |
---|---|---|
[111] | Larix decidua* (Germany) | European larch |
[112] | Larix decidua (E-France) | European larch |
[113] | Larix decidua (S-Poland) | European larch |
[114] | Larix decidua (Czech Republic) | European larch |
[115] | Larix decidua (N-Italy) | European larch |
[121] | Picea abies (early)* (Germany) | Norway spruce |
[122] | Picea abies (late)* (Germany) | Norway spruce |
[123] | Picea abies (northern) (Norway) | Norway spruce |
[124] | Picea abies (late) (E-Poland) | Norway spruce |
[125] | Picea abies (average) (E-Poland) | Norway spruce |
[126] | Picea abies (E-Germany) | Norway spruce |
[127] | Picea abies (E-France) | Norway spruce |
[128] | Picea abies (N-Scandinavia) | Norway spruce |
[129] | Picea omorika (Croatia) | Serbian spruce |
[131] | Pinus sylvestris* (Poland) | Scots pine |
[132] | Pinus sylvestris (E-France) | Scots pine |
[133] | Pinus sylvestris (N-Scandinavia) | Scots pine |
[211] | Betula pubescens* (Germany) | Downy birch |
[215] | Betula pendula (N-Poland) | Silver birch |
[216] | Betula pendula (N-Scandinavia) | Silver birch |
[221] | Fagus sylvatica (Hardegsen)* (Germany) | European beech |
[222] | Fagus sylvatica (Düdelsheim) (Germany) | European beech |
[223] | Fagus sylvatica (Trippstadt) (Germany) | European beech |
[224] | Fagus sylvatica (Denmark) | European beech |
[226] | Fagus orientalis (Balkan) | Oriental beech |
[231] | Populus canescens (Germany) | Grey poplar |
[235] | Populus tremula* (Germany) | European aspen |
[236] | Populus tremula (E-Poland) | European aspen |
[237] | Populus tremula (S-Finland) | European aspen |
[238] | Populus tremula (Ireland) | European aspen |
[239] | Populus tremula (Greece) | European aspen |
[241] | Prunus avium (Bovenden)* (Germany) | Wild cherry |
[242] | Prunus avium (Lutter) (Germany) | Wild cherry |
[251] | Quercus petraea (Zell/Mosel) (Germany) | Sessile oak |
[253] | Quercus petraea (Croatia) | Sessile oak |
[256] | Quercus robur (Wolfgang)* (Germany) | Pedunculate oak |
[257] | Quercus robur (Barlohe) (Germany) | Pedunculate oak |
[258] | Quercus robur (Croatia) | Pedunculate oak |
[261] | Robinia pseudoacacia* (USA) | Black locust |
[271] | Sorbus aucuparia* (Czech Rep.) | Rowan / Mountain ash |
[272] | Sorbus aucuparia (N-Scandinavia) | Rowan / Mountain ash |
[281] | Tilia cordata* (Germany) | Small-leaved lime |
[311] | Ribes alpinum* (Austria) | Alpine currant |
[321] | Salix aurita* (Germany) | Eared willow |
[323] | Salix acutifolia* (Germany) | Siberian violet-willow |
[324] | Salix smithiana* (Germany) | Silky-leaf osier |
[325] | Salix glauca (Greenland) | Grayleaf willow |
[326] | Salix viminalis* (Germany) | Osier willow |
[331] | Sambucus nigra* (Germany) | Elder |
[411] | Corylus avellana* | Common hazel |
[421] | Forsythia suspensa (Fortunei)* | Weeping forsythia |
[431] | Syringa x chinensis (Red Rothomagensis)* | Chinese lilac |
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http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/ppy/plantphenology2020/